Hi,

Interesting observations regarding these finches.  The BNA (Birds of North
America) account of Purple Finch indicates that it is most closely related
to Cassin's Finch and that House Finch is a more distant relative. They do
not cite any proven hybridizations with either species. There are two
possible records of hybridization with Cassin's. They cite two possible
instances of Purple Finch X House Finch. In one case a male was consorting
with a female House Finch and her young. The second case was based solely
on morphological anomolies in a male finch. There is no DNA evidence of
hybridization cited in the BNA account. These accounts summarize the most
recent literature for each species and are regularly updated by the authors.

Given that it is an extreme northeast Ohio specialty, I have paid close
attention to Purple Finches for over 30 years, especially during the
breeding season, and have not seen evidence of mixed pairs.

Considering that House Finches only recently colonized the eastern US it is
worth studying how they interact and potentially hybridize with closely
related species. As Haans pointed out they show a lot of variation,
especially in coloration, which leads to some confusion with non-typical
individuals. My own feeling is that the two species lead separate lives
here in northeast Ohio.

Dave Hochadel
Trumbull County
On Wed, Jul 2, 2014 at 6:11 PM, Haans Petruschke <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Okay so House Finches show a high degree of variation in morphology.  From
> my observation size, shape and plumage can be highly variable. In 1964 B.P
> "Pat" Bole found Ohio's first House Finches here in Kirtland, so separating
> House Finch from Purple Finch is something I have been doing most of my
> life, as both nest here.
>
> But I have to say this is becoming increasingly difficult, as I am seeing
> more and more males who show characteristics of both species.  If not for
> the curved culmen on some of the more colorful, less streaky, individuals I
> would think I was looking at a Cassin's finch or Purple Finch.  The flanks
> are often colored and nearly lacking in streaks or have very very fine
> almost non existent streaking if the flanks are uncolored.  Also the color
> of these individuals is not the magenta of a Purple Finch tending to be
> lighter and less magenta.  I'm also noticing that some streak flanked
> individuals are showing a straighter culmen than I expect.  Thus far I have
> not noticed a female showing any hint of a supercillium.
>
> Given proximity and similarity I wonder how much hybridization is going on?
>
>
> For those who live in the NE quadrant of Ohio, where both Purple Finch and
> House Finch are nesting species, I would urge you to pay more attention the
> the variation in House Finches.  Photographing extreme individuals might be
> interesting as well.
>
> Haans
>
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